Special topics

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The new investment incentives law 3908/2011

in Tax Law, Special topics

Greece's new Investment Incentives Law (3908/2011) responds to the diverse needs of today’s investor and, in parallel, creates a forward-looking investment environment. As Greece orients itself to the global economy, establishes outward-directed policies, and institutes a green development model, both domestic and foreign investors will find a new, open investment framework that is welcoming, attractive, and rewarding. The new Law establishes priorities and policies that mandate an investment process characterized by speed, transparency, and results. Investors will discover productive incentives, financing tools, and streamlined procedures so their business plans proceed with the least amount of bureaucracy and the greatest amount of clarity. Greece is...

23 Apr 2012

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Greek Limited Partnership (E.E.) – Basic characteristics & incorporation requirements

in Company Law, Special topics

Basic characteristics The partners of a limited partnership company are distinguished in two categories: general and limited partners. General partners have joint and unlimited liability vis-à-vis the company creditors. A general partner, in both a general partnership company and a limited partnership company (where there is at least one general partner and many limited partners), is the partner with unlimited liability (responsible for all the company’s debts, not limited to a fixed amount of the company’s debts) for all the company’s obligations with his/her personal assets. Limited partners have limited liability and are only liable for the amount of their investment in the...

17 Apr 2012

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Procedure for the incorporation of a Greek Limited Liability Company (E.P.E.)

in Company Law, Special topics

Unless special license is required (depending on the business scope i.e. trade of pharmaceutical products, trading of food and beverage etc.) the following documents are needed for incorporation. Incorporation procedure is up to acquiring a TIN (AFM) for the newly established company (included). It does not include certification of Books and Records. Registered seat A trading company needs to lease offices allowing storage of the goods or contract with a logistics company before incorporation. Unless any special requirements apply (depending on the business scope), our associate company, CSU SA, may alternatively provide a temporary (3-month) registered seat to accelerate the company’s incorporation...

19 Mar 2012

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Acquisition of real estate property in Greece by non residents

A. Brief description of the procedure for obtaining real estate property 1. Finding the property - assistance of a real estate agent The buyer may seek the assistance of a real estate agent in order to find a property to acquire. Real estate agents usually provide their services according to a written mandate that they receive from the buyer. This mandate should include the amount of the broker’s fees and should specify the period during which it is binding. Real estate agent’s fees are not statutorily provided, therefore the parties may freely agree on that. However, in practice the fees are usually around...

02 Mar 2012

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Credit companies / loan companies- the legislative framework which governs them

in Commercial Law, Special topics

According to Article 4 of Law 3601/2007 [1] ("Taking up and pursuit of the business of credit institutions, capital adequacy of credit institutions and investment firms and other provisions"), undertakings that are NOT credit institutions (Banks) are prohibited from professionally carrying on the business of taking deposits or other repayable funds from the public. According to the same article, subject to the specific provisions of the legislation, the professional granting of loans or other credit is also prohibited, unless special authorization has been granted for this purpose by the Bank of Greece. The terms for the issuing of an authorization...

01 Feb 2012

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Taxation on the transfer of property-exemptions

As from 01.01.2006 (only for the buildings for which the building permit was issued after that date), a VAT of 23% is imposed on the first sale of newly built buildings by a manufacturer, or by a person who deals professionally with the construction and the sale of buildings. For all other properties that don’t have the obligation to pay VAT, as above-mentioned, the transfer is charged with real estate transfer tax at a progressive scale (i.e. 8% for a value of property up to 20.000,00 € and 10% on the excess). Exceptionally, the acquisition of a primary residence is...

01 Feb 2012

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Annual taxes on property

All properties in Greece, belonging to individuals or legal entities on the 1st of January of every year, are burdened with the Tax of Real Estate, following the provisions of Law 3842/2010. The above-mentioned term property includes: a) the right to full and bare ownership, the usufruct and the habitation on a property and b) the right to the exclusive use of parking spaces, auxiliary spaces and swimming pools, that lie at the jointly-owned part of basement, terrace or non-covered buiding space of these properties. The taxable value of buildings (main and auxiliary spaces) is determined by several factors, such as the...

01 Feb 2012

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Real estate investment companies

Real Estate Investment companies are limited by shares companies (i.e. S.A companies), established with the sole aim to acquire and manage real estate property. Their minimum share capital is twenty nine million three hundred and fifty thousand euros (€29.350.000) at a minimum, fully payable upon establishment of the company. Prior to the issuance of permission for establishing a Real Estate Investment Company, permission by the Stock Market Commission is required. A similar permission is required in case an existing company is converted into a Real Estate Investment Company. For granting the establishment permission, the Stock Market Committee evaluates the investment...

01 Feb 2012

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Evaluation of real property